“Measures such as installing specialist alarms will help protect the lead roofs of churches which have been prime targets of thieves in recent years resulting in damage to historic buildings and distress to local communities.”

“The Rural Crime Action Team have my full support in continuing to respond to these issues and offer a strong deterrent in preventing attack or stopping offenders taking the lead.”

The trust is about half way through a programme for fitting the alarms to between 50 and 60 buildings.

Denis Payne, appeal secretary, said: “We feel it is tremendously important. These churches are an important part off the community and are something we should be looking after to pass on for the future.”

He said the alarms cost about £5,000 each and the aim was to pay for half the cost to the church.

Mr Payne said the appeal was becoming more urgent as a key area of funding only ran to the end of the year and every donation of £1,500 would help fund another alarm and protect a church.

Mr Payne said they would be “most grateful” for any support and that he can be contacted on 07450 850970 or at chctappealsec@gmail.com.

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